Development of a Scalable and Extensible Enterprise Master Patient Index for the NHIN

The problem of inaccurate patient identification due to errors introduced during data capture or due to syntactic and semantic differences between patient registration systems is one of the biggest challenges facing healthcare today. An inefficient and inaccurate master patient index introduces duplicate and/or overlaid patient records which can then cause inappropriate or delayed treatments, adverse events, or even death. These data quality issues present in the master patient indexes of many healthcare organizations also prevent the accurate exchange of clinical data and thereby prevent the goal of a complete patient electronic health record, and the many benefits which this accomplishment entails, from becoming a reality. SYSNET International will utilize its extensive experience with the design and development of health IT systems to extend the current enterprise master patient index proof of concept into a scalable and easy to use system that can handle the demanding performance and accuracy needs of small and large organizations as they join the National Health Information Exchange.